Bhubaneswar: Rugby India has announced the 26-member squad for the Indian Women’s Rugby XVs team who will represent India at the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship at Southern Plains Sports Field, Manila, Philippines from 17th to 23rd June 2019. The squad was part of a 15-day Indian National Training camp held in Bhubaneswar from 2nd to 16th June. The players shortlisted to join the camp were selected during the All India Division 1 and Division 2 tournaments which were held in Mumbai and Ludhiana respectively. The camps were supported by Rugby India, Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha and KIIT.
This championship is one of the qualifier rounds for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand. The squad which played their international debut last year, will be led by captain Vahbiz Bharucha and face teams Singapore, Philippines and China.
Extending his best wishes for the upcoming championship, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sport and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, Vishal K Dev , said, “I congratulate the players on their selection to the national team and wish them the very best for their tournament. Their determination and relentless spirit is admirable and inspiring for other young women in sports disciplines. It is also a matter of great pride that seven players from Odisha have made it to the national team. It has been our constant endeavour to promote Rugby amongst young women and provide the best of infrastructure, training grounds and camps under the guidance of expert coaches and tailoring the programs to develop an individual players key skills. We are confident, post their specialised training in Bhubaneswar, the team will be better prepared and will demonstrate outstanding performance in Manila and bring laurels for our country.”
Speaking on the team’s preparedness, Chief Coach Ludwuiche Van Deventer, said, “I am proud of our players. In the last few days at the preparatory camp they underwent extensive strength and conditioning training and have demonstrated great passion and commitment to advance their skills and this tournament could be a great platform to showcase them.”
The following 26 players are selected from across India to represent the nation at the Asia Rugby Womens’ Championship (Div I) in Philippines.
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